More race photography questions

I have a Sigma 170-500mm f/5.6-6.3 lens and a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8

lens with a 2x converter. Of the two, which would be the more ideal

lens for an auto race?

 

Going to the AMLS race at Mosport Labor Day weekend. Last year, I

didn't have my Minolta 7D, nor the 70-200 and converter. I used the

500mm lens and 400 speed film. Some of the pics turned out ok, most

did not. Really looking forward to using the digital.

It all depends on available light the day you are there and how good your access will be. My suggestion would be to bring them both if you can.

The 70-200 is far superior in my books, you must use the sigma apo ex hsm convertor though to get the best from it. Sigma just released a DG version of this lens and convertor which is even better than the older ex apparently.

 

If you shot film last year remember you have a crop factor now which is useful so if you can get in close enough you may not need the convertor, which will produce better results.

 

Also I recommend the 1.4 convertor over the 2 times. They are pretty cheap so if you can afford it splash out and grab one prior. It'll probably cost you less than you spent on film and processing last year.

 

The 170 - 500 is a consumer lens in my book and the 70-200 is getting more towards the pro end. (Just my opinion)

 

Crop factor = 1.5 (i guess)

1.4 times convertor

70 - 200 sigma

equals 150 - 420mm (one stop slower) Best!!!!!!!!

 

Crop factor = 1.5 (i guess)

2 times convertor

70 - 200 sigma

equals 210 - 600mm (two stops slower) 2nd Best!!!!

 

Forget the convetor with the other lens (way to slow)

 

Better still trade both lens and get the Sigma 120-300 2.8 it's pretty good.

 

Have fun.

 

regards

Mark

Hopefully I will be there too! I have been to all of them, and just need to find a babysitter for the weekend. Look for the guy standing just to the right of the camera at Moss corner with the huge white lens, a Canon FD 400mm f2.8 L.

 

 

You need under 200mm for the paddock area and you need 400+ for most of the race action. Since you have digital it is very easy for you to test your own lenses before you go. It may be quite possible that the f2.8 soom with a 2x is sharper than the big zoom, and faster. If it is, then sell the 170-500 because you don't need to keep it just to have 400-500mm.

 

 

I don't have a track pass for Mosport but this does remind me that an acquaintance of mine offered to possibly get me one, so I should check really quickly! I love the ALMS event so hopefully I'll be there one way or the other. I shoot at Moss corner since it is the slowest part of the track. I shoot cars head-on coming into the corner and I shoot them while panning as they go through the corner. I generally split between 400/2.8 and 400/2.8 with 1.4x on Kodachrome 25, Ektar 25, Velvia 50, and E100VS. This year I will have Kodachrome 200 for cloudy shots. Have a great week-end.

No idea why that small file would not show, let's try this one.<div></div>

Thanks for all the responses. My overall experience wasn't terribly bad. I must have taken some 400 shots during the practice sessions and race. I was lucky to get a couple dozen decent shots - gotta love digital.

 

I found that the 500mm lens focused a little better than the 200mm, even without the converter. But, the most of the shots were underexposed.

 

I was in turn 10 all day, the sun was pretty much in my face through the race. I tried to play it safe and used an auto ISO setting, auto white balance and set the camera in shutter priority mode. Most of the shots I took used a shutter speed no less than 1/1250.

 

Here are some of my better shots (still edited in photoshop)...

 

Maybe someday I can afford a huge, fast lens ;-)

I made it for the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning sessions. Too many clouds came out on the Friday just when the prototypes hit the road, but waited for a few good sun shots. I find the sun definitely helps show the colours of the cars like the shot of the #2 Audi that you have. I forgot to mention that you may want to take the camera off autoexposure because of the lights on the cars. If you are head on to the car the lights will cause a 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 stop underexposure, something to remember for next year. You got some nice shots! I'll scan and post a couple later in the week. Take care.

 

P.S. Wow did I ever miss a nice bright sunny race day! Unfortunately not to common for Mosport.

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Hi John

 

Nice close ups on the prototypes...I created a folder of my better pictures from Mosport. I'm guess I'm into the Vettes more than anything else, but the Audis are pretty cool too. Same with the Maserati.

 

Thanks for sharing...